children – Page 5 – Salem Main Streets

Kid-Friendly Weekly Event at Salem’s PEM

Aug 112014

Not every tourist destination can offer “kid-friendly” events on a regular basis— but here in Salem, we can. As proof, we present the on-going PEM/PEM Pals. This is a fun, interactive program with books, movement, music, art and hands-on activities designed specifically for preschoolers and their caregivers. It is presented Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 am at the Peabody Essex Museum.

Residents and visitors alike are welcome to attend.

For example, last week they read The Deep Blue Sea (which was in keeping with the theme of the current exhibition Turner & The Sea). There was also an adventure & fun with a sea-related craft.

This week the sea theme continues with a reading of Big Al, a book about a really big, but really friendly fish named Al.

The month will round out with special guests.

On Aug. 20 participants will be joined by Mr. Whirly (aka Keith Wasserman). He has some fresh tunes to share from his new cd, so attendees should be ready to dance!

On Aug. 27, you might want to keep your dancing shoes on because Teresa Coelho from Music Together will be available with all her instruments for children to try!

In fact, we suggest you take a look at the entire “Kids & Families” schedule for August at the Peabody Essex.

PEM/PEM Pals operates on Wednesdays from Sept. 4, 2013 – Dec. 24, 2014. It is made possible with support from Target and American Dental Partners. For additional info call 978-745-9500.

Live from Salem MA it is Saturday!

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Apr 262014

Writing a blog about Salem Ma is fun, but it is even more enjoyable when there is more than one event going on during the same day. And in our community, that is quite often. For example among the activities today we have:

Healthy Kids Day, Noon-3pm
Salem Jazz & Soul Fundraiser, 8-10:30pm

Healthy Kids day is just what it sounds like. A day for kids to play and learn and have fun, fun , fun. The YMCA’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, features games, healthy cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts and more to motivate and teach families how to develop a healthy routine at home.

Each area Y has different activities. For the Salem Y there will be:

Summer Camp games
Swim tests, swim safety, demos and family swim relays in the pool
Family Zumba
Theatre Games
Vendors:
Smoke House, with the Salem Fire Department
K9 Dogs, with the Sheriffs Department
McGruff Crime Dog, with the Police Department
North Shore Physical Therapy
Plummer Home for Boys
Walgreens
Energy assessments
Children Fingerprinting with New York Life
Woodworking workshop with Home Depot

The Salem Y is located at One Sewall St. Call 978.740.9622 for more info.

And then the night belongs to music. The sounds of Jazz and Soul will fill the air because… the Salem Jazz and Soul Spring Fundraiser takes place tonight in Ames Hall, 290 Essex St.

But more than just music, it is also a dance party featuring the band Combo Sabroso, (tasty combo) which presents “soul cleansing” Latin dance music and reggae. You will hear hard hitting “salsa dura” sounds of the 1970s (Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Oscar D’leon and Sonora Poncena), salsa arrangements of American R&B (Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers and Santana) plus reggae versions of pop hits (Elton John, Steve Miller and The Police). The band’s members are from Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Saint Maarten, Venezuela and the United States.

And that’s not all! North Shore businesses and artists have also donated items for auctions and raffles!

Tickets are available from salemjazzsoul.org, as well as Pamplemousse, and In a Pig’s Eye; proceeds will fund the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival’s non-profit mission of producing free concerts and supporting music education causes on the North Shore.

From start to finish, Salem is a Saturday destination. And don’t forget in between to visit our diverse dining and shopping options in the downtown district.

Keeping the Kid in Halloween

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Oct 012013

Before the Halloween celebration is ravaged by the hordes of grown-ups and the wild costumes, we in Salem make sure the children get their day in the sun (so to speak…).

The Haunted Happenings Grand Parade. If you know anything about Salem Ma and our month-long Haunted Happenings celebration, you have heard of this march around town.

This year step off is at 6:30pm on Oct. 3; it begins at Shetland Park, ambles through Salem, and ends at the Common. The theme is “Books Come Alive.” Most any resident in Salem can tell you they were either a parent, relative or neighbor of some child who marched in the parade— or they were in the parade themselves.

According to Rinus Oosthoek, Executive Director, Salem Chamber of Commerce, “It is a night-time tradition that brings out the entire city and people from all of the surrounding cities and towns to kick off the Halloween season. It is filled with color, pageantry, music and the enthusiasm of thousands of Salem’s students from kindergarten to college age and local business owners.”

To mount such an undertaking, though, The Chamber of Commerce is still looking for volunteers to help.

Volunteers will be helping with:

Helping participants find their spot in the parade
Lining up the 8 parade line-up sections
Finding banner carriers in their section (or walking/carrying the banner in the parade themselves).
All volunteers can join the VIP’s at the end of the Parade on the Grandstand in front of the Common.

It’s fun and we call the event “organized chaos” from start to finish…., and we hope you can help.

Volunteers should be at the entrance to Shetland Office park between 5-5.30pm to receive their assignment and pick up their volunteer T-shirt.

Contact the Chamber at info@salem-chamber.org or call 978-745-3855.

If that wasn’t enough, Friday night, Oct. 4, there are two more events in which the little ones can participate.

The Mayor’s Night Out (3-10pm) is when Mayor Kimberly Driscoll, in partnership with Salem’s attractions and museums, welcomes Salem residents to check us out on our dime. Salem residents (kids too) with ID, are admitted free to attractions and museums. ID also provides free parking in the East India Mall garage after 4pm. Look for “Mayor’s Night Out” signs at participating businesses.

Our mayor is a busy person…. you can Join Mayor Driscoll for Trick-or-Treating at the East India Fountain. We will Trick-or-Treat along the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, The Museum Place Mall Shops, and beyond. Trick-or-Treat Bags provided. Costumes encouraged. Parents bring the kids. Kids bring your parents.

For more information on these two events, call Salem City Hall at 978-745-9595.

Now For Something Completely Different

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Apr 082013

Last month and even just last weekend were packed with one exciting super charged event after another– but someone asked, what about something for the kids. And adults “young at heart.” The answer is at the Kensington-Stobart Gallery at the Hawthorne Hotel, On the Common, which is featuring original works by Salem resident, Katy Bratun, now through May 13th. This is a departure from the gallery’s forte of maritime art. Just like Salem, change things up.

“From Pencil to Print” showcases her children ‘s book art with whimsical woodland creatures having human qualities. Selecting colored pencils, watercolors, acrylics, and pastels she strives to develop images that are engaging places for children to go. Her book illustrations reflect the warm colors and contrasting cool colors so familiar from her New Mexico childhood.

She explains on her website, “My desire to create pictures and outlandish characters began when I clutched a crayon in my chubby hand. After realizing that periwinkle is not as tasty as it looks, I began scratching the color on random surfaces. Voila! Much more satisfying!”

Katy Bratun studied illustration at the Art Institute of Boston and has illustrated 30 books for children. She has also been an instructor for drawing programs at the Peabody Essex Museum.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call The Kensington-Stobart Gallery at 978-825-0022.

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